Ernest Hemingway's shortest story?

By Jack Brummet, Literary Editor

Ernest Hemingway famously wrote this, to prove an entire story could be written in six words:

"For Sale: baby shoes, never worn."

Some people say Hemingway called his his best work.  Others claim that it's nothing more than a literary folk tale.  No one really seems to know for sure. 

In 2008, inspired  by this story, Smith Magazine published a book of six word memoirs inspired by this story.  It's pretty good--with examples from both famous and obscure writers.  The book is called "Not Quite What I Was Planning" (Harper Perennial Books, 2008).  I found a copy in my local Value Village, and am enjoying.  If you have a short enough attention span, I guess this book could provide you a year's worth of stories. . .

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